Harriett Weinstein's Survival Story

“There will be dark days, but the sunshine that follows is so bright. Once you get through this, life will be sweeter than you ever imagined. You will have a deeper love of nature and life beyond your wildest dreams.”

“This is not how the story ends…you will get through this and be forever filled with a sense of gratitude of which depths cannot be measured.”

That is how Harriet Weinstein describes surviving a battle against breast cancer.

The Highland Beach resident’s own fight began when she was diagnosed with breast cancer on Aug. 23, 2012.

“I was in shock,” she recalls. “No one in my family had ever had cancer. I was the picture of health. I had even given my father a kidney in 2003 and went through every possible test you could imagine to ensure I was healthy enough to donate a kidney.

“I was completely devastated,” she continues. “My father had been my best friend and I was still grieving his death. How would I get through this without him?”

When her doctor recommended she have a mastectomy, Weinstein says, she was “overwhelmed. I was trying to come to terms with having chemotherapy and losing my hair. Now I had to face the fact that I would lose my breasts, too.”

Fortunately, she had a strong support system of family and friends to help her through her ordeal.

Her uncle, Jeff Saffitz, she says, is head of pathology at Harvard University and worked in tandem with Weinstein’s doctors at Lynn Cancer Institute. “I am grateful to him every day. He helped me navigate my way through this dark period.

“My family and friends rallied around me with a constant stream of love. My son was my rock. Not only was he there for me every day but he also helped with taking on the responsibilities I have for my mother, who is in a nursing home with MS.”

My extended family at AutoNation [specifically Mercedes Benz of Ft Lauderdale, Delray and Pompano] was a tremendous support. Whenever I was feeling a little blue I could count on them to lift my spirits. Many times I wandered into the dealerships and the warmth of their love and hugs lifted me up. Individually and collectively these people were a big part of my journey.

“My oncologist, Dr. Al Begas, was awesome. While he didn’t sugar coat anything, his warm approach made me feel like he cared. My chemo nurse, Lynn Anderson, was second to none. My social worker, Darcy McNally, was amazing and helped me cope with the emotional piece of this struggle.”

“Dr. Bogue did my reconstruction surgery,” Weinstein continues. “He has got to be one of the most gifted plastic surgeons ever. He gave me my life back.”

Surviving cancer, she says, has helped her realize the inner strength she has.

“I have a resounding confidence I never had before,” Weinstein explains. “[I know] I can survive anything life throws at me.”

Today, she “enjoys life to the fullest. I drive along the beach with my car top down and rock out to Bruce Springsteen every chance I get,” she says.